Tributes paid after death of Newham midwife
Warm tributes have been paid to a much-loved midwife who helped deliver hundreds of Newham newborns
Gertrude Whyte has been described by a former colleague at Newham General Hospital as a “rock” because of her ability to command respect and show empathy in equal measure.
She died on May 22 aged 80.
Louise Simmons, worked under Getrude for more than a decade as a family planning nurse.
She said: “I first met here when she interviewed me for a job, so she was my manager, my best friend, and my mother.
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“We all used to say we will never have a manager like Mrs Whyte. You just didn’t say no to her.”
Getrude, who was also known as Pat, first worked at the Plaistow Maternity Hospital, which closed in 1973. She then had a spell at the Newham Maternity Hospital in Forest Gate before moving on to Newham General.
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“As a manager, when you were on duty, she was your manager. But she was nice to everybody, and always helpful and always willing to help and advise.
“At Christmas, she would cook, and bring in a nice spread for us.
“She was my rock.”
Gertrude’s funeral will take place at St Bartholomew’s Church in Frinton Road, Holland-on-Sea on June 15. For more information, contact 07729 020099.
